Throwaway plastic is last straw for Queen

The Queen has banned single use plastic bottles and straws from the royal estatesROBERT DAEMMRICH/GETTY IMAGES

The Queen is supporting efforts to cut down on single-use plastics by banishing plastic water bottles and straws from royal estates.

Buckingham Palace said that there was a “strong desire” to tackle the issue, which was highlighted in the BBC series Blue Planet II by the Queen’s friend Sir David Attenborough.

Water will be served from glass bottles in all meetings at the palaces. Plastic straws will be phased out from public cafés at royal residences, including Buckingham Palace and Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. Canteens for staff will use china plates, glasses and recyclable paper cups and provide compostable packaging for takeaway items. Goods and materials moved between royal sites will be sent in reusable packaging.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “The royal household is…

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